Rotary engine.



No. 773,649. v PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904. A. M. KRUEGER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31, 1902.

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i A Tram/Em No. 773,649. PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904.

A. M. KRUEGER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1902.

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UNITED STATES Patented November 1, 1904.

PATENT Trice.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,649, dated November1, 1904.

Application filed March 31, 1902.

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT M. KRUEGER, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RotaryEngines; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary engines, and especiallyto that class employing compressed air, steam, and analogous gases as asource of energy or propelling medium.

The object of this invention is to provide an engine of this class whichwill be simple and compact in construction and economical and powerfulwhen in action.

With this object in view my invention comprises a new and improvedpiston, new and improved means for equalizing the wear on the surface ofthe piston, new and improved means for automatically compensating forthe wear on the surface of the piston and steam chamber, and new andimproved valve-opererating mechanism.

My invention also consists of the new and original features ofconstruction and combination of parts, as illustrated in the drawingsand hereinafter described in the specification and pointed out in theclaims.

In carrying out my invention I provide a cylindrical piston-chamber inwhichI arrange a cam-shaped piston which extends longitudinally of thepiston-chamber. The piston is secured on a shaft which is mountedcentrally in the piston-chamber, and the piston is so suspended thereonthat only a small part of the surface thereof will touch the interiorsurface of the piston-chamber during a complete revolution of thepiston. In the side of the cylinder I form an opening which extends thefull length of the cylinder, and in this opening I arrange an abutmentwhich extends into the pistonchamber a sufiicient distance to come intocontact with the surface of the piston. This abutment is supported on aleverarm which is pivot-ally mounted at one side of the cylinder. Thisarrangement reduces the Serial No. 100,814. (No model.)

friction between the abutment and the edges of the opening in thecylinder to a minimum, as the abutment is supported independently of thecylinder, and theabutmentcan be moved easily in and out when understeam-pressure, and it will not bind against the sides of the opening.Springs are provided which exert a constant pressure against theabutment, so as to hold it in contact with the surface of the .pistonduring the complete revolution of the piston, and as the piston revolvesthe abutment will move in and out following the contour of the piston. Asteam-inlet is formed in the cylinder above the opening for the abutmentand is provided with a valve which is operatively connected with thepiston. An exhaust is formed at the same side of the cylinder below theopening for the abutment.

VVhen the steam is first admitted to the piston-chamber, it fills thetriangular space between the abutment and the adjacent surfaces of thecylinder and piston. the steam causes the piston to revolve, enlargingthe steam-space and exposing a greater portion of the surface of thepiston to the action of the steam. As the piston revolves it opens andcloses the steam-valve through its operative connection therewith, andthe abutment moves in and out under the combined action of the pistonand springs.

In the accompanying drawings, FigureI is a vertical section of myimproved rotary engine. Fig. II is a section on lines II II, Fig. 1,showing a hatching across the steam-inlet. Fig. III is a section onlines III III, Fig. I, showing a similar hatching across theexhaustport. Fig. IV is a section on lines IV IV, Fig. I. Fig.Vis asection on linesVV, Fig. I, showing the construction of the abutment.Fig. VI is a section on lines VI VI, Fig. I, for the same purpose.

Again referring to the drawings, a represents the cylinder of myengine,which is provided with the end pieces (fiand a", removablysecured thereto by means of bolts a. The interior surface of thecylinder is slightly beveled at both ends. At each end of the cylinderare arranged packing-rings a and a Each ring is triangular incross-section and is preferably split, so that it can be sprung into po-The pressure of sition and leave a small space between its ends, so asto allow for adjustment. Screws a are provided, which pass through therespective end plates and engage the packing-rings a These screws aprevent the packing-rings from turning and also serve to adjust them tocompensate for the wear on their surfaces.

Openings (0 and a, respectively, are formed in the sides of the cylinderand constitute the steam inlet and exhaust port. Across each opening isarranged a hatching formed of a series of bars a and a respectively,arranged parallel with each other and at an angle to the top and bottomedges of the respective openings, and the arrangement of the bars issuch that the bottom edge of one bar is in a vertical line with the topedge of the adjacent bar. The object of the hatching is to form a stopacross the respective openings. and the peculiar arrangement of the barseq ualizes the wear on the surface of the portion of the piston whichcomes into contact therewith and prevents it from becoming grooved, asthere is no part of said surface but what will come into contact withone of the bars.

Bearings are formed centrally in the respective end plates a and a ofthe cylinder, and in these bearings is mounted a shaft 6, which isarranged to extend a short distance beyond the said plates. On thisshaft is mounted a cam-shaped body b,which constitutes the piston. Thecam-shaped body or piston 7/ is so suspended on the shaft 7) that ittouches the interior surface of the cylinder only at one point. On eachend of the piston is secured an annular plate 6 and b, respectively, ofequal diameter with the interior diameter of the cylinder. The edges ofthe outer surfaces of the annular plates 6 and 6 are beveledcorresponding to the bevel on the triangular packing-rings a. Betweenthe end plates (0 and 0. and the plates and Z2 are preferably arrangedwashers Il The object of these plates 6 and If is to provide a perfectlysteamtight packing between the respective ends of the piston and thecylinder, thus preventing any escape of steam around the bearings of thepiston-shaft b. The respective packing rings a and a, as beforeindicated, can be adjusted so that they will always be in close contactwith the ct ges of the respective plates 6 and Z1 In the surface of thepiston where it touches the interior surface of the cylinder is formed agroove 6 which extends the full length of the piston. In this groove ismounted a plate I), preferably by pivoting or hinging it at one side bymeans of a pin 6 Underneath the plate 7) is arranged a bow-spring I),which presses the plate 7) against the interior surface of the cylinder.This plate 6 forms a packing which automatically adjusts itself tocompensate forthe wear on the piston and the interior surface of thecylinder.

Between the steam-supply pipe (4 and the opening a in the cylinder andin close proximity to said opening a is arranged a balanced rotary valvecomprising a valve-casing 0 and rotary valve 0. The valve-casing isrecessed, as at c, to provide a steam-space at the back of the valve tobalance the pressure on the valve of the steam flowing through thevalve. The steam-supply pipe is forked to supply steam above and belowthe valve. The valvestem 0 extends beyond the casing, and on the endthereof is mounted an arm 0 A pin 0 is secured in the end of the arm 0On the outer face of the end plate a of the cylinder above the shaft 0is secured a pin d, on which is mounted a lever (Z. In the end of thelonger arm a is formed a slot 03 adapted to receive the pin 0 on the endof the arm 0 secured to the valve-stem 0 In the end of the shorter armof the lever is secured a pin (i on which is mounted a roller cl. On theend of the shaft 5 without the cylinder (0 is secured a cam a soarranged that during a portion of the revolution of the shaft it willcome into contact with the roller (Z on the lever (Z'. A spring d issecured to the lever (SZ', so that the lever in its normal position willhold the valve closed and the roller (2* against the surface of the cam.As the shaft L turns the cam e lifts the short arm of the lever (Z anddepresses the longer arm, causing arotation of the valvestem in thedirection to open the valve. hen the cam 0 leaves the roller (F, thespring (6 causes the lever (Z to assume its normal position, closing thevalve.

At the side of the cylinder is mounted my improved abutment. Thisabutment comprises two supporting-arms f and f, which are pivotallymounted on a shaftf On top of the arms is mounted a box or frame consisting of a bottom plate 7 which extends the full length of the openinga a top plate f of equal length, but of greater width than the plate fso that the front edge thereof extends beyond the front edge of theplate f a back plate 7, and vertical plates f for bracing and securingthe top and bottom plates together. In this frame are arranged threeflat plates 6, g, and equal in length to the top and bottom platesj andf". Slots 1*, and g are formed in the respective plates g, g, and g toaccommodate the vertical plates and to allow them to move freely in andout in the frame. In each plate g, g, and are secured pins g g and gwhich project beyond the back of the frame through openings formed inthe platef' Under the respective plates g, g, and g are arrangedpacking-plates g", g and 9 Slots are formed in these plates, and in theslots are arranged projections which engage projections or shoulders f,formed on the vertical plates f so as to lock them in the frame andprevent them from moving forward when the plates g, g, and g areadvanced.

Springs are mounted in proximity to the abutment and are arrangedtoexert a constant pressure against the-frame of the abutment, so as tohold the plate f in contact with the surface of the piston. Similarsprings f and f and f are secured to the arms of the abutment and pressagainst the pins in the ends of the plates g, g, and g forcing themoutwardly in the frame of the abutment and against the face of thepiston b. A packing-plate h is mounted above the plates 7. Screws it aremounted in the easing above the plate it and are arranged to engage withthe said plate, so that it may be adjusted to take up the wear betweenthe two surfaces. A washer [L3 of corrugated copper or other softmaterial is arranged between the end of the plate It and the wall of thecylinder (0.

What I claim is 1. 1n a rotary engine, a cylinder, steamports formed inthe said cylinder and hatchings arranged over said ports, comprising aseries of parallel bars arranged at an angle to the top and bottom edgesof the respective ports and thearrangement of the said bars is such thatthe bottom edge of one bar is in a vertical line with the top edge ofthe adjacent bar, substantially as described and for the purpose setforth.

2. A rotary engine comprisinga cylindrical casing, end plates secured tosaid casing, portholes formed in said casing, a shaft mounted centrallyin bearings formed in said end plates, a piston keyed to said shaft, agroove formed in said piston, a plate mounted in said groove, a springarranged beneath said plate and adapted to hold said plate against theinterior surface of the said casing, and diagonally-disposed barsarranged across said port-holes, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

3. A rotary engine comprising acylindrical casing, hatching arrangedacross said portholes, a shaft mounted centrally in bearings formed insaid end plates, a piston keyed to said shaft, said piston comprising acamshaped body arranged so that only a portion of its surface will be incontact with the interior of the said casing during a revolution of saidpiston, a groove formed in the said piston at the point where the saidpiston comes in contact with the interior surface of the said casing, aplate mounted in said groove, a spring arranged beneath said plate andadapted to hold said plate against the interior of said casing, annularplates arranged at the respective ends of the piston, and packing-ringsarranged between the said annular plates and the end plates of the saidcasing, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, end plates securedto said casing, a steam-inlet formed in said casing, a rotary valvearranged to control the admission of steam through the said inlet, ashaft mounted centrally in bearings formed in said end plates, a pistonkeyed to said shaft, an abutment arranged to move in and out accordingto the movement of the said piston, a lever pivotally secured on theouter surface of one of said end plates and having one of its endsoperatively connected with the stem of the said ro-" tary valve, aroller mounted onthe opposite end of thesaid lever, a springsecured tothe said lever for holding the same in its normal position, and a cammounted on the outer end of said piston-shaft and arranged to come incontact'with the said roller during a part of the revolution of the saidpiston, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, end plates securedto said casing, port holes arranged in said casing, a shaft mountedcentrally in bearings formed in said plates, a piston keyed to saidshaft, said piston comprising a cam-shaped body extending the fulllength of the said casing, and arranged so that only a portion of thesurface will be in contact with the interior surface of the said casingduring a complete revolution of the said piston, and an abutmentarranged in an opening in the said casing, said abutment comprisingsupports pivotally mounted without said casing plates arranged on top ofsaid supports and adapted to extend through the opening in said casingand means for exerting a yielding pressure on said support so as to holdsaid plates in contact with the surface of said piston, substantially asdescribed and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a rotary engine, the combination with a casing, end plates securedto said casing, port-holes arranged in said casing, a shaft mountedcentrally in bearings formed in the said end plates, a piston keyed onsaid shaft, said piston comprising a cam-shaped body extending the fulllength of the said casing and arranged so that only a portion of itssurface will be in contact with the interior surface of the said casingduring a complete revolution of the said piston, an abutment arranged inan opening in said casing, said abutment comprising supports pivotallymounted without said casing, a frame mounted on top of said supports,plates arranged to slide in and out of said frame, springs arranged toexert a constant pressure on said support and springs arranged to exerta constant pressure on the respective plates, substantially as describedand for the purpose set forth.

7 In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, end plates secured tosaid casing, portholes arranged in the said casing, a shaft mountedcentrally in bearings formed in said plates, a piston keyed to saidshaft, said piston comprising a cam-shaped body extending the fulllength of the said casing, and arranged so that only a portion of thesurface will be in contact with the interior of the said casing during acomplete revolution of the said piston, and an abutment arranged in anopening in said casing, said abutment comprising supports pivotallymounted Without said casing, plates rigidly secured to said supports,movable plates mounted between the rigid plates, packing-plates arrangedbetween the respective plates, and springs arranged to exert a constantpressure on the respective plates for holding them against the surfaceof the piston, and packing devices arranged at the top and side of thesaid abutment, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a rotary engine, a steam-cylinder, a cam-shaped piston operativelymounted in said cylinder, port-holes formed in cylinder, an openingformed in the side of said cylinder, a support pivotally mounted Withoutsaid cylinder, an abutment mounted on said support and arranged toextend through the said opening in said cylinder and come in contactwith the said piston and a spring arranged to hold said abutment againstsaid piston, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign the foregoing specification, in the presenceof two Witnesses, tOhis 21st day of March, 1902, at Cleveland,

ALBERT M. KRUEGER.

Witnesses:

VICTOR C. LYNCH, GERTRUDE M. HAYES.

